Transfers: Manuel Da Costa in Negotiations with France’s Reims

By The Atlas Lions, Aug 9 2018 1:22PM

(Morocco World News) Rabat – Is Moroccan international football player Manuel Da Costa leaving the Turkish League?

The summer mercato (transfer window) continues for Moroccan football players as the French league keeps on enrolling Atlas Lions. This time, it’s Istanbul’s Basaksehir defender Da Costa who is linked with France’s Reims.

According to French outlet France Football, the French club, which is looking for experienced executives to strengthen its team, thinks that the 32-year-old football player will fit perfectly with the club’s needs. Da Costa is currently negotiating with the president of Reims.

The French-Moroccan-Portuguese footballer, who played in the last World Cup with Morocco, has solid experience. Da Costa was vice-champion of Turkey in his last season with Istanbul Basaksehir.

The defender, who trained in Nancy, has already played in Italy (with Fiorentina and Sampdoria of Genoa), the Netherlands (with PSV Eindhoven), England (with West Ham) and even Russia (with Lokomotiv Moscow). He also played for the Greek championship between 2015 and 2017 at the Olympiakos.

Da Costa had a hard choice to make when it came to choosing the country he wanted to play for. Born in France to a Moroccan mother and a Portuguese father, the Atlas Lion was eligible for the three different selections, but he finally chose Morocco. He played with the under-21 selection of Portugal and France before opting for the Atlas Lions under Badou Zaki.

Da Costa’s first match as a Lion took place on May 23, 2014, when Morocco won a match against Mozambique (4-0). He scored his first goal with the selection on March 27 of the same year, during a match against Uzbekistan. Since then, Manuel da Costa has been vice-captain of the Lions in many games.

(Morocco World News) Rabat – Is Hakim Ziyech on the verge of leaving Ajax Amsterdam?

While Ziyech’s future remains a mystery, his relationship with his club has deteriorated.

The Atlas Lion was not happy to hear that the Dutch club replaced the number 10 jersey he always wore with number 22. The Moroccan football player learned of it through Ajax’s official website.

The Dutch club is not sure it will keep Ziyech, who has been rumored to possibly transfer to AS Roma, Olympique Lyon, and Arsenal. In the meantime, Ajax decided to give Ziyech’s number to one of their new players, Dusan Tadic.

The change might help the football player to make up his mind about his future career. Earlier this month, the Moroccan-Dutchman told Dutch outlet 11 Lions that he “is not sure to leave Ajax.” He added, “Football can be unpredictable.”

Ajax is asking for €23 million to release its midfielder. Earlier this year, Ziyech was named best player of the year in Netherlands’ national league.

Ziyech chose to represent Morocco’s Atlas Lions when he had the opportunity to join the Netherlands’ team. The football player made his debut with Morocco in a friendly match against Côte d’Ivoire in October 2015.

Transfers: Adel Taarabt Negotiates with France’s FC Nantes

By The Atlas Lions, Jul 31 2018 2:30PM

(Morocco World News) Rabat – Adel Taarabt may return to the French league. According to sports outlet Goal, the Moroccan international midfielder is currently in discussions with French club FC Nantes for the coming season.

The Atlas Lion, accompanied by some family members, met the president of FC Nantes, Waldemar Kita, on Monday, July 30, to negotiate a contract.

Last season Adel Taarabt played 22 Serie A games with Genoa. He made 18 starts and scored two goals and two assists. The Moroccan joined the Italian club in 2017 on loan from Benfica, with whom he has a contract until 2020.

Taarabt, who trained at RC Lens, has already played with some prestigious clubs, including Tottenham, Fulham, AC Milan, and Benfica.

However, the 29-year-old football player has developed a bad reputation. In multiple clubs, he has had trouble getting along with his teammates.

As for his career with the national team, Taarabt has not played for Morocco for over 3 years. Last year, he expressed a wish to be part of Hervé Renard’s list for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Unfortunately, given his controversial past, Taarabt did not make the cut.

Taarabt made a number of mistakes while playing for the Moroccan team. On the eve of the national team’s match against Algeria during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, he decided to leave the training camp and consequently did not play the match.

Taarabt immigrated to France with his family when he was only 11 years old. “People, especially Moroccans, do not know that I always felt pressure. People were always expecting me to be the future Zinedine Zidane [former French footballer], a pressure that was always difficult to manage.”

While he knows he will not be able to forge a better career, Taarabt does not regret what he has done so far. “I have already played for famous international teams, like Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers, Benfica, which itself is an achievement.”

Taarabt also played for France’s national under-17 and under-19 teams.

CAF CL: Wydad on course for quarterfinals

(Africanfootball.com) CAF Champions League holders Wydad Casablanca remain on course for the quarterfinals after they defeated Horoya AC 2-0 at Stade Mohamed V on Saturday night.

The result sees the Moroccans rise to the top of Group C with a tally of eight points, while the Guineans are tied for second on five points with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. AS Togo-Port bring up the rear with three points, as all four teams remain in quarterfinal contention.

Wydad got off to a great start and claimed the lead as early as the 12th minute, with Chieck Ibrahim Comara netting after a fine move from the hosts.

Just six minutes later the Moroccans strengthened their grip on the game by claiming a 2-0 lead, with Mohamed Ounnajem netting to see Wydad fully capitalise on a strong spell of dominance.

The Casablanca side regularly tested out Horoya goalkeeper Khadim N’Diaye, who was a busy man through the first half and prevented a more emphatic score line by half time.

The second half saw Wydad take their foot off the pedal and cruise home to the three points, keeping Horoya at bay with relative ease.

The teams will return to CAF Champions League action on the weekend of August 17-19, with Wydad at home to Mamelodi Sundowns, while Horoya will host Togo-Port.